Adding bright golden hues of yellow to a garden landscape can be done with ground cover plants with yellow flowers. A vividly-colored carpet of sunlight blooms is created by yellow-flowering, low-growing spreading plants. Flowers in full sun or partial shade are common in brilliant yellow hues. Yellow flowers that form mats and crawl about may help keep the ground consistent, prevent weeds, and stop soil erosion.
A front or backyard can be brightened up with the addition of yellow flowerd ground cover plants. Understory plants beneath trees or big shrubs should be ground cover plants that flourish in dappled light. Additionally, ground cover plants with full-sun yellow blooms may be used to create a foundation line, in mixed beds, or as an accent for evergreen shrubs.
The ultimate ground cover plants with yellow blooms are listed in this guide. Help you pick the finest flowers for your garden by learning about yellow blossoms and mat-forming plants from descriptions and photographs.
The Best Ground Cover Plants With Yellow Flowers
Cinquefoil, creeping buttercup, evening primrose, and yellow stonecrop are some of the best yellow-flowering plants for ground cover. These tall-growing plants produce golden yellow and green hues that cover land. Perennials that spread are usually smaller than 1 foot (30 cm) tall and prefer full sun or partial shade.
Why Plant Yellow-Flowering Ground Cover Plants
Low-spreading plants with yellow blooms are perfect for brightening a drab garden ecosystem. Flowers of golden yellow, lemon yellow, or canary yellow contrast with the green foliage and provide vibrant colors. Moreover, mound-forming, spreading, or trailing plants help to retain soil moisture and weed growth by keeping it from drying out.
How to Choose Ground Cover Plants With Yellow Flowers
The quantity of sunlight, the soil type, and the watering needs are essential aspects to consider when selecting yellow-flowering ground cover plants. First, make sure that the plants you’re buying are appropriate for your USDA zone. After that, you’ll need to understand how much upkeep they require.
In addition, some invasive spreading plants may be found in specific areas. It’s worth noting that in warm climates, certain ground cover plants are evergreen, but in colder areas, they grow as perennials. The creeping plants will bloom from late spring to early fall and are commonly referred to as evergreen perennials. Before returning the next spring, the foliage may, however, succumb to frost.
Ground Cover Plants With Yellow Flowers (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
In a garden landscape, yellow blooming ground cover plants have numerous applications. They can be utilized to trail across fences or walls, or grow in hanging baskets, in addition to spreading the spreading plants to cover exposed ground.
Cinquefoil (Potentilla)
Cinquefoil plants are a collection of low-growing, mat-forming plants with tiny green leaves and dainty golden yellow flowers. These herbaceous perennials have creeping stems with trailing shoots and yellow blooms that bloom on upright shoots. In USDA zones 3 through 7, spreading cinquefoil plants thrive best in full sun.
Cinquefoil are low-growing shrubby plants that are also known as five fingers, silverweed, or barren strawberry. The plants may also bloom with white, pale pink, or red blooms, despite the fact that yellow is the most common blossom color. Cinquefoil flowers with a creeping habit are available in two different forms:
Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans): This trailing-stemmed yellow blooming perennial with tiny five-petaled flowers that are 0.8” (2 cm) in diameter has trailing stems. Taproots and runners spread the plant, which has a fast growth rate. In lawns and flower beds, it can become an invasive yellow weed. Creeping cinquefoil grows up to 40 inches (100 cm) broad and 4 inches (10 cm) tall.
Spring cinquefoil / spotted cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana): The vigorous growth, numerous tiny buttery-yellow blooms, and deep green palmate leaves of this mat-forming cinquefoil variety The 6-inch (15 cm) tall early spring blooming ground cover plant grows.
Basket of Gold / Golden Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis, Alyssum saxatile)
Basket of gold is a stunning full sun ground cover plant with masses of brilliantly colored yellow flowers. It is an evergreen perennial that blooms throughout the year. In the spring, golden yellow blossoms appear for six weeks. The grayish-green leaves of this drought-tolerant gorgeous ground cover plant contrast nicely with the yellow blooms.
The little plant grows to be about 1 foot (30 cm) tall. The mat-forming plant grows in USDA zones 3 to 7 and is also known as golden alyssum. It’s great as ground cover in full sun or as a planting option at the front of beds and borders along a foundation line. When it’s grown with ground cover plants with red, purple, or white blooms, it also looks stunning.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a ground cover plant that blooms bright yellow cup-shaped flowers in full sun or partial shade. The long, trailing stems are covered in small heart-shaped leaves and are the distinguishing feature of this evergreen perennial. The golden yellow blooms are matched with chartreuse to brilliant green leaves.
Creeping Jenny grows up to 18 inches (45 cm) broad and tall, ranging in height from 3 to 6 inches (7 – 15 cm). The yellow-flowering ground cover plant thrives in USDA zones 3 to 9, thriving in full sun or partial shade. Golden crashing Jenny rapidly encroaches on bare land and has robust development. When trailing over fences, hanging baskets, or growing along borders, the green and yellow stems work well.
Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Creeping buttercup is a prostrate-stemmed, deeply lobed foliage, and tiny five-petaled yellow flowers on upright stems that thrives in full sun. Creeping buttercup grows to be 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 3 feet (1 m) broad through root stolons. In damp environments, the fast-growing ground cover plant thrives.
The ground cover plant with yellow flowers grows in full sun in USDA zones 4 to 9 and is also known as creeping crowfoot. Creeping buttercup thrives in most temperate areas, where turfgrass cannot survive. The spreading can be invasive in some locations due to its quick expansion. Creeping buttercup is a kind of flowering weed, according to some gardeners.
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Stonecrop is a mat-forming, creeping plant with little yellow flowers that forms clusters. Since they have a lengthy blooming season, tolerate poor soil, and need little care, easy-to-grow flowering plants are great for garden landscapes. Stonecrop is also drought tolerant because it is a succulent. In sunny situations, here are some of the greatest stonecrop plants with yellow flowers:
Reflexed stonecrop stonecrop (Sedum rupestre, Sedum reflexum): A low-growing, mat-forming plant with masses of yellow star-shaped blooms, this evergreen perennial is a low grower. The green-gray needle-like leaves are complimented by the brightly colored blooms. Angelina stonecrop grows to be 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall and broad.
Gold moss stonecrop (Sedum acre): The bright yellow star-shaped blooms make a carpet of this low-growing drought-tolerant succulent. Green conical leaves adorn the rapidly spreading ground cover. The spreading plant may be used as a lawn replacement, hanging basket plant, or accent evergreen trees. It prefers most soil types.
Stringy stonecrop (Sedum sarmentosum): This sedum variety has thick, fleshy, lanceolate leaves and blooms with masses of yellow star-shaped flowers as a mat-forming succulent. The stems of stringy stonecrop may grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.
Yellow stonecrop (Sedum nuttallii): The leafy green leaves and tiny yellow flowers blooming on horizontal branches give this yellow-flowering ground cover plant its yellowish-green color. The succulent spreads several feet in diameter and forms clumps.
Sedum nuttallii, or yellow stonecrop, is a plant
Yellow Trailing Ice plant (Lampranthus spectabilis)
The yellow ice plant is a trailing perennial with a profusion of golden daisy-like blooms that thrives in full sun. Long, thin petals spread out from a center yellow heart make up the yellow blossom. In warm winter areas or in the summer to autumn in colder zones, disc-shaped yellow flower heads bloom from late winter through early spring. USDA zones 8 through 10 are ideal for evergreen yellow ice plants. The blue-green finger-like leaves on wiry stems characterize the spreading tender perennial.
The white ice plant spreads up to 26 inches (65 cm) wide and grows 6 inches to 12 inches (15 – 30 cm) tall. Rock gardens, ground cover in full sun, border fronts, and containers are all ideal locations for growing the yellow-flowering ground cover plant. The ornamental flowering stems cascade over the side of these hanging basket flowers, making them even more beautiful.
Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Barren strawberry is a low-maintenance, spreading plant with five petals that blooms in the autumn. It is a yellow flowering perennial ground cover. Trifoliate, wedge-shaped leaves adorn this lovely evergreen perennial plant. The sun-loving plant has a yellow bloom layer and deep green leaves. It may grow up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) broad and reach 3 inches (7 centimeters) tall.
The prostrate growth habit of barren strawberry plants earned them the name “barren strawberry.” Along pathways, borders, or rock gardens, the mat-forming plant creates attractive ground cover. It’s ideal for USDA zones 4 through 7.
Partridge Feather Plant (Tanacetum densum ssp. amani)
Partridge feather plants are distinguished by their clumping, spreading nature and silvery-gray foliage. They prefer dry environments and thrive in arid regions. The yellow blooms, which are button-like in appearance, appear in clumps at the ends of stems.
It has extremely delicate leaves that form a six-inch (15 cm) high and 24-inch (60 cm) broad silver carpet of leaves. Dry soil is ideal forPartridge feather plants, which are suited for landscaping xeric garden settings. The sun-loving spreading plant thrives on loamy, sandy soils and is drought tolerant once it has established itself. USDA zones 4 through 9 are suitable for growing it.
Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
Yellow archangel is a spreading perennial with tiny tubular yellow blossoms. It is also known as golden dead-nettle. In late spring, short stalks of dainty golden yellow blooms emerge from creeping runners. The aromatic, dark green leaves of the vine-like flowering plant are ovate and serrated on the margins.
Underground stolons may spread the yellow archangel plant indefinitely. Yellow archangel is appropriate for ground cover in shaded gardens or wooded areas because it is tolerant of shade. This trailing perennial flower may be cultivated in USDA zones 4 to 8.
Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Perennial peanut is a drought-tolerant full-sun ground cover that blooms throughout the summer. Erosion control and soil stability are common uses for the spreading plant, which is related to legumes in agriculture. It’s also a beautiful plant, making it ideal for sunny residential gardens where it needs to grow fast. USDA zones 8–11 are suitable for Hardy.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera)
The flowers of most evening primrose plants are yellow, and they have a spreading, low-growing habit that varies by species. The yellow blooms of many species open in the evening, which gives the plant its name. Oenothera isn’t related to actual primrose plants, despite its name. Evening primrose ground cover plants come in two colors: yellow and crimson.
Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): Beautiful bowl-shaped yellow blooms emit a lemon fragrance and grow from this spreading plant. From early summer to early autumn, the biennial plant produces a lot of blooms. The drought-tolerant self-seeding plant grows to be 3 to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall.
Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa): The showy bright yellow flowers of this low-growing evening primrose plant are open in a saucer shape. These huge yellow blossoms, sometimes known as sundrops, are found at the ends of reddish stalks amid lanceolate leaves.
Oenothera fruticosa, a narrowleaf evening primrose
Primrose (Primula)
Several cultivars of primrose plants exist, some of which have single or double blooms that may be utilized as low-growing ground covers in partially shaded places. The tiny clusters of golden yellow single or double blossoms are produced by the showy ornamental flowers for many weeks.
Moreover, several primrose species feature vibrant multicolored petals in contrasting yellow, red, black, and purple hues. With yellow blooms and a spreading habit, here are a few primrose varieties:
Common primrose or English primrose (Primula vulgaris): This low-growing variety has light cream-yellow blooms with a deeper yellow center and is also known as wild primrose. The yellow-flowered plant is 6 inches (15 cm) tall and broad..
Cowslip (Primula veris): Cowslip has drooping funnel-shaped lemon-yellow blooms that are suitable for growing in part shade. Among oval to lance-shaped fuzzy green leaves, the delicate flowers bloom.
Primula Belarina Buttercup: Belarina buttercup primrose blooms have huge, brilliantly yellow double blooms that grow at the end of long stalks, making them stand out. Revitalizing borders, beds, and containers with low-growing plants is ideal.
Primula ‘Barnhaven Gold’: The tiny flowers of barnhaven gold primroses are deep yellow in color and have deeper yellow-orange centers. To brighten up shaded places, the shade-loving plants grow 4″ to 6″ (10 – 15 cm) tall and flourish as understory blooms.
Woolly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa)
Woolly yarrow is a low-growing semi-evergreen perennial with golden yellow blooms that thrives in dense clusters called corymbs and is adapted to sun loving. The showy blooms contrast with the green-gray foliage and bloom in the spring and summer. The 8-inch (20-cm) tall and 45-inch (114-cm) broad yellow-flowering ground cover plant thrives.
USDA zones 3 to 7 in full sun are ideal for woolly yarrow. Ground cover, brightening up borders, landscaping walkways, or growing in containers! The yellow flowers of this spreading plant are perfect for all of these uses.
Upright Wild Ginger (Saruma henryi)
Upright wild ginger is a clumping, shade-loving ground cover plant with yellowish-green three-petaled flowers that is suitable for use in shaded areas. The tiny chartreuse flowers bloom from spring through summer and are 1″ wide. The growing height is 24 inches (60 centimeters) and the growing breadth is 39 inches (100 centimeters).
In USDA zones 5–8, upright wild ginger is appropriate for full-shade ground cover. The heart-shaped green leaves make a fuzzy carpet of foliage that covers the spreading herbaceous perennial. Little yellowish blooms dot the green carpet when it’s in bloom.
Horned Pansy (Viola Cornuta)
Bedding plants such as horned violets (sometimes known as horned pansies) are planted in large quantities to cover bare ground. Low-growing, clump-forming plants with two-toned blooms are often found in spectacular flowering perennials or annuals. The colors of many violets range from pale yellow to deep yellow-orange. Flowering plants may reproduce striking flower displays.
Perennials may be maintained as annuals and include horned pansies. In USDA zones 6 through 11, they are often hardy outdoors. These spreading, creeping plants reach 9 inches (22 cm) in height and 12 inches (30 cm) in width. Yellow-flowering pansies, which may be used as full-sun or partial-shade ground cover, are shown below:
Viola cornuta ‘Sorbet Yellow Delight’: In the yellow center, dark brown veins run through golden yellow rounded petals.
Viola cornuta ‘Twix Yellow Red Wing’: Flowers are yellow and dark purple or maroon with contrasting yellow and deep purple or maroon petals.
Viola cornuta ‘Sorbet Lemon Chiffon’: The petals of this violet cultivar are light yellow and have reddish-brown twig-like veins throughout.
Viola cornuta ‘Callisto’: This highly colorful bloom has pure yellow petals that lack contrasting hues, unlike most pansies.
